“We’ve reached the end of a century of policies that tend to favor the export of raw materials and food in Africa. The continent is beginning to turn its gaze to agricultural innovation as a new engine of regional trade and prosperity,” said Calestous Juma, director of the study and researcher at the Belfer Center at Harvard University.
The study’s strategy calls on governments to make African agricultural expansion in the spotlight in all decisions. Since the transport infrastructure and communication, to education beyond secondary education and investment in R & D.
“Africa still has vast arable land and abundant labor, which, in agreeing a common approach and establish sound policies, could lead to increased production, income and food security, experts say.
Key elements in making this transition
Some of the steps to achieve change in Africa go through the use of latest technologies (including modern biotechnology) and investment in geographic sciences to enable optimal management of natural resources.
The experts also considered necessary the constant expansion of basic infrastructure (telecommunications, transport, energy and irrigation), enhancement of technical training, especially for women and the practical knowledge and the creation of new companies especially in seed production, agricultural mechanization, food storage and processing.
“The agricultural revolution in Africa is an achievable goal, provided that the continent known to focus on developing small-scale agriculture that can respond to national and regional food needs,” says Juma.
Food production in Africa is low because it is reversed
According to survey data, global agriculture in the last 40 years has been characterized by an increase in food production per capita of 17%. Similarly, African agriculture has gone to the opposite direction. It has grown coffee, cocoa and other export items, but food production has fallen 10% since 1960 due to low investments in the sector.
Throughout these four decades, have stalled production levels and farm incomes, as well as poverty rates, these figures become worse in some cases.
Although 70% of Africans belong to the world agricultural production is so low that nearly 250 million people (one quarter of the world population) are malnourished. One third of sub-Saharan Africa suffer from chronic hunger, while drought, land degradation and disease and appear to be endemic.
Juma highlights the importance of being able to look beyond the problems and take advantage of the vast tracts of Africa, water resources and energy. “It is the only continent with arable land and available for expanding agriculture. Southern Sudan alone could feed the whole of Africa if developed properly, “he says.
A study of the political dimension
The work has gained a political dimension because of its presentation by the President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, the meeting of the leaders of the East African Community (EAC), which takes place today in Arusha, Tanzania. Moreover, the 19-member Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa – COMESA, the continent’s largest trading bloc, have already implemented the preliminary results of the study.
“The plan would combine the use of the latest science and technology, infrastructure expansion, enhancement of technical training and stimulation of business development. If you focus on women and rural prosperity, Africa would create a more agricultural revolution integral, “says Juma.
“This remarkable statement, in absolute contrast with the deeply rooted and gloomy picture we have of the continent, it serves to present a series of investigations that are published today and offer clear solutions to transform the sub-Saharan agriculture and hence their economy, “says the researcher.
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